Sen. Cornyn blasts White House for 'culture of cover-ups and intimidation'

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said the Obama administration owes its recent troubles and controversies to a “culture of cover ups and intimidation” within the White House.

“Given the trend line we’re seeing here ... in so many different instances, it’s an unfortunate culture, I think, in the administration that it’s OK to cover these things up. And part of it has to do with the intimidation that the administration is using against some of its critics,” the Senate minority whip told Bob Schieffer on CBS’s Face the Nation.

He told "Face the Nation" that the president has “taken more steps” than any other to open up White House operations to the public. He noted the White House publishes who meets with administration officials, among other items.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) rejected the notion that the Obama administration has a good record on transparency.

“This administration says they want to be open and transparent, but they haven’t," Chaffetz said.